Introduction: A Landmark Recognition for India's Festival of Lights

In a moment of significant cultural pride for India, Deepavali (Diwali) — the festival of lights celebrated across the nation and by millions in the Indian diaspora worldwide — has been officially inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This historic decision was announced on Wednesday during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), being held at the iconic Red Fort in Delhi from December 8-13, 2025.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed this achievement, stating that "people in India and around the world are thrilled," emphasizing that Deepavali is "very closely linked to our culture and ethos" and represents "the soul of our civilisation."

What is UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List?

Understanding the Significance

The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) List is a prestigious international recognition established under the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. It acknowledges and preserves unique cultural practices, traditions, and expressions that communities consider essential to their identity.

The Intergovernmental Committee that oversees this initiative:

Advances the objectives of the 2003 Convention

Ensures effective implementation across member states

Offers guidance on best practices

Recommends safeguarding measures

Mobilises resources for the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund

This recognition is not merely ceremonial—it brings global visibility, encourages preservation efforts, and strengthens cultural continuity across generations.

India's Growing Presence on UNESCO's ICH List

The Complete Picture

With the inscription of Deepavali, India now has 16 elements on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This makes India one of the countries with the most recognized intangible cultural elements globally, reflecting the nation's rich and diverse heritage.

India's 16 UNESCO-inscribed Intangible Cultural Heritage elements include:

Deepavali (Diwali) — The festival of lights (newly inscribed, December 2025)

Kumbh Mela — The world's largest pilgrimage gathering

Durga Puja of Kolkata — The iconic festival of West Bengal

Garba dance of Gujarat — Traditional circular dance form

Yoga — Ancient system of physical and spiritual practice

Vedic chanting tradition — The oral recitation of ancient Sanskrit texts

Ramlila — Traditional performance art depicting the Ramayana

Ramman festival of Himachal Pradesh

Navruz celebration

Chhau dance

Jemma: The traditional Dhikr circle of Bahrain (shared heritage)

Nawrouz (shared with multiple countries)

Kabuki (shared)

And others

This expanding list underscores India's commitment to preserving its cultural wealth on the global stage.

The Deepavali Nomination Process: A Collaborative Effort

How India Secured This Recognition

The nomination of Deepavali was a meticulously planned and community-driven process, demonstrating India's structured approach to heritage preservation:

Key aspects of the nomination process:

Diverse community engagement — Input from communities across India representing the pan-India reach of Diwali celebrations

Formal documentation — Consent letters, testimonials, and evidence in written, audio, and audiovisual formats

Expert committee formation — Sangeet Natak Akademi (the Ministry of Culture's nodal agency for ICH matters) established a specialized committee comprising:

Heritage experts

Academicians

Practitioners

Poets and writers

Regional representatives ensuring all-India perspective

Diaspora representation — The pitch emphasized Diwali's significance to the Indian diaspora globally

Comprehensive documentation — Detailed dossier highlighting cultural, social, and spiritual dimensions

This rigorous process ensured that the nomination authentically represented Deepavali's importance to Indian civilization and its universal appeal.

What Does UNESCO's Inscription Mean for India?

The Broader Implications

The inscription of Deepavali carries multifaceted significance:

1. Cultural Preservation and Documentation

Ensures systematic documentation and safeguarding of the festival's traditions

Creates a framework for transmitting knowledge to future generations

Strengthens cultural continuity in an increasingly globalized world

2. Global Recognition and Soft Power

Elevates India's cultural standing on the international stage

Promotes India's civilizational values globally

Enhances the country's soft power and diplomatic influence

3. Support for Practitioners

Mobilizes international resources through the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund

Provides platforms for knowledge exchange among practitioners

Encourages sustainable preservation practices

4. Economic and Tourism Benefits

Potential increase in cultural tourism

Enhanced interest in Indian traditions and heritage

Opportunities for communities to benefit economically from cultural preservation

The Historic Hosting: India's First Time as Host

A Milestone for the Nation

The 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee is particularly significant because this is the first time India is hosting this prestigious international forum. The event runs from December 8-13, 2025, at the Red Fort in Delhi—a location symbolically fitting for celebrating India's heritage preservation efforts.

Key figures at the inaugural ceremony (December 8, 2025):

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar — Formally opened the session, emphasizing that traditions, languages, music, and craftsmanship are "the most democratic expression of culture"

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta

India's Ambassador to UNESCO Vishal V Sharma

Scale of participation:

Over 1,000 delegates expected

Representatives from over 180 countries

Committee members, UNESCO officials, experts, accredited NGOs, and cultural practitioners

This global assembly underscores the importance of India's hosting role in the international heritage preservation discourse.

PM Modi's Statement and Government Perspective

Policy Significance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official statement on the inscription highlights the government's perspective:

Key quote from PM Modi's X post:

"For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness. The addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List will contribute to the festival's global popularity even further."

This statement reflects:

Recognition of Deepavali as fundamental to Indian identity

Emphasis on its symbolic meanings (illumination and righteousness)

Commitment to global cultural outreach

Support for diaspora communities

Future Outlook: Chhath Puja's Nomination

Next Step in India's UNESCO Journey

Looking ahead, the Indian government has prepared for the next nomination cycle. Bihar's Chhath Puja has been nominated for UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage consideration, continuing India's effort to globally recognize diverse regional traditions.

This sequential approach—with Durga Puja (inscribed in 2024), followed by Deepavali (inscribed in December 2025), and now Chhath Puja in nomination—demonstrates a strategic, sustained commitment to heritage preservation.

Why This Matters for Your Exam Preparation

UPSC and Competitive Exam Relevance

Understanding this development is crucial for UPSC aspirants and competitive exam candidates for multiple reasons:

1. General Studies (Culture and Heritage) — GS Paper I

Intangible Cultural Heritage concepts — Increasingly featured in UPSC mains questions

UNESCO conventions and mechanisms — Direct relevance to questions on international cultural organizations

Indian cultural diversity — Essential for questions about regional cultures, festivals, and traditions

Heritage preservation frameworks — Part of broader cultural studies syllabus

2. General Knowledge for Prelims

UNESCO-related facts and India's inscribed elements

Key government agencies (Sangeet Natak Akademi) and their roles

Important international conventions (2003 UNESCO Convention)

3. Conceptual Understanding

Difference between tangible and intangible cultural heritage

How nomination processes work for international recognition

The role of grassroots community participation in heritage preservation

Connection between culture and nation-building

4. Current Affairs Integration

Recent government initiatives in cultural preservation

India's diplomatic role in international forums

Relevance of hosting UNESCO events in India

Timeline of India's ICH inscriptions (Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja, Yoga, Vedic chanting, etc.)

5. Essay and Ethics Paper Relevance

Questions on preserving cultural heritage in modern times

The balance between globalization and cultural preservation

Role of government, communities, and international bodies in heritage protection

Significance of festivals in strengthening national unity and identity

6. Interview Preparation (Personality Test)

Understanding India's soft power through culture

Government's vision for preserving civilization heritage

Aspirant's perspective on cultural preservation and national identity

Key Takeaways for Exam Success

Remember these points for your UPSC preparation:

Deepavali is India's 16th UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage element

The inscription was decided at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee (December 2025)

The session is being hosted at the Red Fort, Delhi — India's first time hosting this event

The nomination involved Sangeet Natak Akademi as the nodal agency

The 2003 UNESCO Convention forms the legal framework for ICH recognition

India's ICH list includes diverse elements reflecting regional and pan-India traditions

Chhath Puja (Bihar) is the next nomination being considered

Conclusion

The inscription of Deepavali on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List represents far more than ceremonial recognition—it is a validation of India's civilizational values, a commitment to cultural preservation, and a powerful assertion of India's soft power on the global stage. For UPSC aspirants, this development offers rich material for examination preparation across multiple papers and provides insights into how government policies, cultural initiatives, and international diplomacy intersect.

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